Rene Theodore Aelvoet, a prominent South Texas farmer, businessman, investor, civic leader and proud alumni of Central Catholic High School, passed away on June 23, 2017, at the age of 87. Rene, a first generation American, was born to Belgium immigrants, Frank and Anna Aelvoet in San Antonio, on August 23, 1929. He was raised on a vegetable farm located on Belgium Lane, in the shadow of the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum. After graduation from Central Catholic High School, Rene joined his parents in the vegetable farming business. On August 30, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Rosie Persyn. In the early 1960s Rene and his brother and business partner, Julius, started buying farm land in Medina County, just south of Hondo. In 1967, he and his wife, Rosie, built a home on one of the farms and moved to Hondo with their nine children. Rene loved farming, and the irrigation practices he brought to the region enhanced the farming landscape of Medina County. Rene strongly believed in investing his time and resources in the community in which he lived. In the 1970s Rene, along with some of his friends, saw the need for lodging in the Hondo area for traveling business men and hunters, and built the Whitetail Lodge in Hondo. Later, another group of investors felt that there was a need for a bank to serve the growing needs of Medina County farmers, ranchers, businessmen and the citizens of Medina County, and they opened the Community National Bank. Rene was a charter member and Founding Director of the bank. Rene had a strong sense for civic and public service, and people respected the integrity of his character and his confidence to stand alone. Rene served in various leadership roles: Director of the San Antonio Produce Terminal Market, President of the Bexar County Truck Farmer's Association, Vice President of the South Texas Vegetable Day Show, Vice Chairman of the Edward's Underground Water District, Director of the Medina County Underground Water District, President of the Hondo Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Hondo Independent School District, and Chairman of the Board of Community National Bank. Rene is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Aelvoet; brother, Julius Aelvoet; sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Maurice DeCock. Rene is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosie Persyn Aelvoet, and their nine children: Annette (Tom) McMinn, Frank (Pam) Aelvoet, Andrew (Theresa) Aelvoet, Mariette(William) Wroe, Jeanette (Tobin) Tilley, Paul (Denise) Aelvoet, Thomas (Jennifer) Aelvoet, Patrick (Patsy) Aelvoet, David (Kathie) Aelvoet; 34 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include his sister, Germaine (George) DeWinne, and sisters-in-law, Genevieve Aelvoet and Geraldine Dausin. Rene leaves with us a legacy of commitment and sacrifice to family. He valued his Catholic faith and education. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Central Catholic High School (www.cchs-sat.org ) or St. John's Historical Society, Hondo, Texas. Visitation will be 7 to 8 pm and rosary will be held Tuesday, June 27, at 8 pm. Funeral mass celebrating Rene's life will be Wednesday, June 28, at 10 am, all at St John's Catholic Church, Hondo, Texas.